Preston choir set to be stage stars with tenor Russell Watson

‘THE Voice’ Russell Watson is set to welcome a Preston choir to the stage as he performs in the city.

On Wednesday, Preston Musical Comedy Show Choir will team up with the celebrated tenor on his Songs from the Heart tour.

At Preston’s Charter Theatre, the choir and the self-styled ‘People’s Tenor’ will sing some of his operatic and pop hits including renditions of ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Nella Fantasia’ and ‘Time to Say Goodbye’.

And Mark Howard, spokesman for the choir, said the call to star in the show was a very unexpected one.

He said: “The call to be involved with Russell Watson came out of the blue. One of our former Musical Directors Edward J Rugman had gone on to become Russell’s MD and as they were planning the 2016 tour they decided they wanted community choirs involved. Ed immediately thought of the Show Choir and the first contact was made. It started with two concerts, quickly moved to three in Crewe and Buxton and then a few weeks after this the Preston choir had to withdraw and the opportunity to perform at one of our own venues with Russell was too much to refuse. With three down, the Preston gig still remains the week before the concert at the Playhouse. Every choir member has been thrilled to work with Russell and Ed and the whole experience will stay in everyone’s memories.”

The choir has supported Katherine Jenkins at Hoghton Tower and performed at St Catherine’s Hospice, the Museum of Lancashire, Preston Pride and The Harris Flights since forming in 2012 for the Guild Voices celebrations.

The show starts at 7.30pm with tickets at http://prestonguildhall.com/tickets